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Saturday, May 8, 2010

A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down while returning to their car in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and Detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in bloodred lipstick.

The most dangerous

The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars' worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.

The most exciting Women's Murder Club novel ever

Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich--and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line--but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1976, James Patterson's books have sold more than 170 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.Maxine Paetro is the author of three novels, two works of nonfiction, and the coauthor of seven books with James Patterson. She lives in New York with her husband.

MY REVIEW:

As a James Patterson fan since day one, I have had some concern that a few novels in the past year have not quite lived up to their billing even though I am an easy critic in this regard. Well, not to worry as obviously there is great working chemistry between King James and Maxine Paetro as the newest installment in the Women’s Murder Club Series out this month, THE 9TH JUDGMENT, is back and up to the old high standards I judge on. Those standards for me are the vital elements that make the book worthy of the Patterson name. They are: (1) the short cliff hanger chapters; (2) a great villain (or two); (3) the main players “good guys” or in this case “good gals”, who are well fleshed out and presenting themselves in proper style and character; (4) and, the “Ah-ha! Twist” about two-thirds of the way through the book that makes you sit up and wonder how you didn’t know that only to find out at the end that there is yet another twist to leave you rethinking and flipping through the book to see where was the clue you missed.

With those standards in place, I am happy to report that THE 9TH JUDGMENT has it all! The cliff hanging chapters that keep you turning pages? Check! The “ah-ha Twist”? Check (and how did I NOT see that? is always my question). Great villain(s) with one being not so villainess but rather clever and likable as well as harmless (known as “Hello Kitty”, the Cat Burglar, who strikes the rich for their jewels while they party downstairs totally unaware). Then there is the “Lipstick Killer” who beyond doubt is a psychopath and not only merciless but clever. He is without a conscience and whose targets are unsuspecting young mothers and their small children, often time merely toddlers or babies! He is one sick and mean viscous villain.

The Women’s Murder Club ladies are back and as good if not better than ever. Lindsey Boxer is again leading the pack as she has been put in charge of the case of the Hello Kitty Burglar until the Lipstick Killer strikes…and strikes again and of course, with the help of her team of gals--Yuki Castellano, the defense attorney from the DA’s office who is trying to get a win after a string of failures; Dr. Claire Washburn, the Medical Examiner who overreacts and says some unprofessional things out of frustration about a killer who not only murders women and children, execution style, but leaves his puzzling initials as a clue to his description written in lipstick--that is until he switches to blood instead of lipstick; and Cindy Thomas, the reporter who wants a scoop but winds up helping the team most often. Throw in a beau or partner of the male species and the cast is pretty complete.

THE 9th JUDGMENT keeps the girls going and the murders and robberies coming while the reader turns pages like crazy to see what will happen next. I won’t put in a spoiler except to say, which you would on your own, that surely these two main cases, the serial killer and the robber can’t be the same person or related in any way, can they…or can they? And so my mind is back at ease now knowing that JP is back on track with a real winner in THE 9th JUDGMENT!

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO HENRY AND THEHACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVEFIVE COPIES OF THIS POPULARBOOK TO GIVE AWAY!--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY--NO P. O. BOXES---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSIN CASE YOU WIN!--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TOCOUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THE 9TH JUDGMENT IN THE INFORMATION AND REVIEW ABOVE+1 MORE ENTRY:BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND THEN COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK+1 MORE ENTRY:COMMENT ON ANY OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED FOR MY BLOG. EACH BOOK YOU'VE ENTERED TO WIN CAN COUNT AS A SEPARATE ENTRY SO PLEASE POST THEM SEPARATELY SO THEY WILL COUNT.

I to have been a fan of Patterson since day 1, and feel as you do....lately his books have not lived up to their billing. I am, however, looking forward to reading THE NINTH JUDGMENT. You can "review" for me anytime.mjsinger.500@gmail.com

Welcome, Betty! I am glad you found me. I saw you talk about your grandson. Mine is 23 days old and I am totally in love. Do try and become a Google Friend Connect Follower over in the left hand column as I am trying to get to 700 plus would love to have you come back often!

I must confess I have not read any of the Women's Murder Club novels. I have read James Patterson. I find it fasinating these women come together to solve the murders and burglaries. A good cliff hanger is always a great read.

Like you, I've been a bit disenchanted with the last few JP books (oversaturated, repeat story lines, like an aging comic rehashing the same routine over and over, he needs some new material) but would like to give this a try based on your review. Thanks for the giveaway.

The simple fact that you enjoyed it is enough for me! Love your reviews....but also this book series! The Women's Murder Club is great as a whole or even as stand alone books! Oh and the "Lipstick Killer"? Simple must know more about that person... ~shivers~

I like the information provided about this book here...it already makes me want to read the book... especially the idea of having a 'Womens Murder Club' set up which just solves murder cases sounds very interesting...

Thanks to all!

Sadly, we will be saying good bye to Bookin' With Bingo early next month. Things just have been too hectic so we have chosen to close down with hopes for a new "BWB" someday. Thanks to all and KEEP READING!